Czech government approves $2.7 billion plan to acquire 246 armored vehicles from Sweden
The Czech government has approved a Defense Ministry plan to acquire 246 CV90 armored fighting vehicles as part of a massive army modernization amid Russia’s war in Ukraine
FILE – Czech Republic’s Defense Minister Jana Cernochova answers questions from the media after signing an Air Policing Treaty during an air show in Malacky, Slovakia August 27, 2022. The Czech government has approved a Ministry of Defense plan on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, to acquire 246 CV90 armored vehicles as part of a massive modernization of the army amid the Russian war in Ukraine. Cernochova said the deal to get the infantry fighting vehicles made by Sweden’s BAE Systems Hägglunds was worth 59.7 billion Czech crowns ($2.7 billion). (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
The Associated Press
PRAGUE– The Czech government on Wednesday approved a Defense Ministry plan to acquire 246 CV90 armored fighting vehicles as part of a massive military modernization amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said the deal to get the infantry fighting vehicles made by Swedish company BAE Systems Hägglunds AB is worth 59.7 billion Czech crowns ($2.7 billion).
The ministry signed the agreement with the Swedish side on Wednesday.
Cernochova said the first CV90s should be delivered in 2026 and all by 2030.
In a statement, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said he was “convinced that the 90 combat vehicle is the right choice for the Czech Republic”.
According to the BAE Systems Hägglunds website, there are currently 15 CV90 variants in service in seven countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
The Czech authorities also announced that they would negotiate with the German government on a possible agreement to acquire German-made Leopard 2A8 tanks.
The Czech army uses modernized versions of Soviet-era T-72 tanks and will receive 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany as compensation after giving Ukraine dozens of T-72 tanks.
The Czechs have also negotiated with the American side to acquire 24 F-35 fighter jets, but no deal has yet been approved.
ABC News
